What you'll pay to replace a UK driving license

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged UK driving license costs £20 if you explore online or by post. If you need it urgently and explore in person at a Post Office that offers the Fast Track service, you pay £20 plus £20.50 for expedited processing — a total of £40.50. The standard online or postal route takes 1 to 2 weeks; Fast Track takes 1 working day.

You cannot pay at the DVLA office itself — the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) does not have a walk-in payment system. All payments go through either the DVLA's online portal, by cheque through the post, or through Post Office Fast Track locations.

These are the only two price tiers. There are no hidden fees, no additional charges for processing, and no variation based on the reason your license was lost, stolen, or damaged.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard replacement by post or online costs £20 and takes 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Fast Track replacement through a Post Office costs £40.50 total and takes 1 working day.
  • You pay online, by cheque in the post, or at a participating Post Office — never directly to the DVLA.
  • You need your current photocard license or a provisional license to explore; if you have neither, the cost and process are different.

How to pay for standard replacement online

Go to gov.uk/replace-lost-stolen-damaged-driving-licence and select the option that matches your situation. You will need your National Insurance number, your postcode, and your driving license number (if you still have access to it — for example, if it was damaged but readable).

The form will ask you to pay by Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, or Apple Pay. Payment is taken when ready. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. The DVLA will then post your replacement license to the address on file, which normally takes 1 to 2 weeks.

If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can request a paper form from the DVLA by phone on 0300 790 6801. You fill in the form, enclose a cheque for £20 made payable to "DVLA", and post it to the address on the form. This route also takes 1 to 2 weeks from when the DVLA receives it.

Fast Track replacement at a Post Office

If you need your license within 1 working day, find a Post Office near you that offers the Post Office Fast Track Driving Licence Service. Not all Post Offices offer this — you can search for participating branches on postoffice.co.uk or call 03452 223 344.

Bring your current photocard license (or provisional license if you have no photocard), proof of your identity, and proof of your address. You pay £40.50 at the counter — £20 for the replacement and £20.50 for Fast Track processing. The Post Office sends your process to the DVLA the same day, and your new license is printed and ready to collect the next working day.

Fast Track is useful if you need to drive for work or have a court appearance coming up, but it costs twice as much as the standard route. If you can wait 1 to 2 weeks, the standard online or postal method saves you £20.50.

What happens if you've lost your license number

If your license was lost or stolen and you do not have the license number written down anywhere, you can still explore. The online form will ask for it, but you can leave that field blank and continue. The DVLA will look up your record using your National Insurance number and postcode instead.

If you cannot remember your National Insurance number either, call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and they will help you find it or confirm your details over the phone before you submit the form. This does not change the cost — you still pay £20 for standard replacement or £40.50 for Fast Track.

If you've never had a photocard license

If your license was lost or stolen but you never received a photocard (for example, you passed your test many years ago and never updated to the new format), you cannot straightforward replace it. Instead, you must explore for a new photocard license, which costs £34 and takes 3 weeks.

You will need to provide a passport-style photograph, proof of identity, and proof of address. You can explore online at gov.uk or by post. This is a different process from replacing a lost photocard, so check which situation applies to you before you pay. If you are unsure whether you ever received a photocard, call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and they can tell you what type of license is on record.

Payment methods and what to do if payment fails

Online payment accepts Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, and Apple Pay only. If your card is declined, check that the card details are correct and that you have sufficient funds. Try again, or use a different card.

If you are paying by post with a cheque, make it payable to "DVLA" and include it in the envelope with your form. Do not send cash. If the cheque bounces or is not signed, the DVLA will return your process and you will have to resubmit with a valid payment method.

If you are paying at a Post Office for Fast Track, you can pay by cash, card, or cheque. If payment fails, the Post Office will not send your process that day, so you will miss the 1 working day turnaround.

Refunds and what to do if you change your mind

Once you have paid and submitted your process, you cannot cancel it or get a refund. The DVLA will process your replacement license and post it to you. If you find your original license after you have applied for a replacement, you still have to pay for the replacement — there is no refund mechanism.

If you applied online and realize when ready (within minutes) that you made a mistake, contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 before they process your process. They may be able to stop it, but this is not may provide. If your replacement has already been printed and posted, it cannot be stopped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay for a replacement license in installments?

No. The DVLA does not offer payment plans. You must pay the full amount — £20 for standard or £40.50 for Fast Track — upfront before your process is processed. If you cannot pay online, you can pay by cheque in the post, but the full amount is still due before the DVLA will send your license.

Do I get a receipt for my payment?

If you pay online, you will receive a confirmation email with your reference number and payment receipt. If you pay by cheque, keep a copy of the cheque or note the cheque number for your records. At a Post Office, you will receive a receipt at the counter. Keep this in case you need to prove payment later.

What if I pay but my license never arrives?

Contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 with your reference number or cheque number. They can check whether your process was processed and whether your license has been posted. If it was lost in the post, they can reissue it. If your process was never received, they can advise you to resubmit.

Is there a discount if I replace multiple licenses at once?

No. Each license costs £20 (standard) or £40.50 (Fast Track) regardless of how many you are replacing. If you are replacing licenses for multiple family members, each person pays separately and applies separately.

Do I pay more if my license was stolen rather than lost?

No. The cost is the same whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. You do not need to report the theft to the police first, though you may want to for your own records. The replacement cost does not change based on the reason.